My brakes creak loudly as I throw the truck in park and jump out, marching toward the large wooden door of the church. My fists are balled up and my jaw is clamped down as I barge through the entrance and watch Marcus look up from the front lectern, startled.

“What on earth are you doing here?” His shoulders tense up and his lips disappear into a slit across his face.

“You and I need to have a chat, Marcus,” I don’t break my stride, closing the floor between us quickly.

“I have nothing to say to you. Get out of my church, Connor,” he holds up his hand like a crossing guard and I can see the thin, pink scar from when we made our blood brother pact across his palm.

A pact that he destroyed the very first time we had a problem. Just like he’s going to destroy my life now, if I let him.

I won’t.

“I’m pretty sure this is God’s church, not yours,” I answer. “And don’t worry, this won’t take long,” I stand my ground, squaring off my shoulders and stare him in the eyes.

“I have things to do, I don’t have time for this,” he shuffles his papers on the podium and acts like a drill sergeant that just declared I was dismissed. Except I’m not about to turn on my heel and rush out of here just because Marcus decided I’m not worthy of his time. If you ask me, he’s been given too much power over the years. Taking on the role of a parent for his sister and then becoming a pastor of the church seems to have gone to his head.

“I don’t care if you have time, you’re gonna make some because I’m not walking out of here until you listen to what I have to say,” I snarl.

Marcus blows out his ebony cheeks as he hisses air through his front teeth like a leaky balloon. I know that noise. I’ve heard it before, I’ll probably hear it again. It’s the sound of him trying to stay calm, probably counting to ten in his head. It never works, it didn’t make him calmer when he was a five-year-old and I doubt it will work now. I’m surprised he still even tries.

“What do you want?” He stresses each word like a sentence.

“Listen, I know you and I don’t see eye-to-eye anymore,” I start.

“Pfft, that’s an understatement,” he laughs dryly.

“Yeah, well, I think it’s about time you got over it bud. It’s been fourteen years since your girlfriend jumped me, while I was passed out, I might add.” I can see the crimson of anger splash over the back of his neck, mixed with his dark skin it makes an almost purple hue. I remember that shade all too well, the color of pure rage.

“Oh, you think so, huh?” Now it’s Marcus who clenches his fist, crinkling up his papers in his hand without realizing it.

“Yes, I do. Look, what happened, happened. It was a long time ago, and it wasn’t really my fault. It has nothing to do with Charlotte and me now. I’m not going to let you keep me from our baby just because you can’t show a little bit of the forgiveness you preach about to someone you once called a brother.”

“Connor, I will never forgive you. You know why? You don’t even have one shred of remorse in your soul, do you? You don’t even admit the part you played in any of that night…” Marcus frowns and his lips corkscrew downward as he opens his palm and drops the crumpled papers back down. “Wait, did you say baby?” His eyes grow wide as he looks at me.

“I, uh, did I?” I know I shouldn’t say dammit in church. Is it bad to think it?

“You got my little sister pregnant?” The full realization floods over him and he races down the steps and checks my shoulder as he races past me to the exit.

I drag my fingers through my hair and restrain myself from swearing as I hear the door behind me slam shut. Quickly, I follow Marcus outside, “Where are you going? Get back here and talk to me about this like a man!” I call out but he’s already in his car. I’m not going to let him blow me off that easily. I jump back in my truck and follow his car out of the parking lot, cursing under my breath as we drive the familiar streets back to his house.

“Shit, shit, shit!” I yell as Marcus sails through a yellow light and I have no choice but to stop on the red that follows.

He’s going to confront Charlotte. I fucked this up pretty good. I need to stop him before he destroys any chance I have of ever seeing her again.